Bergomi: Man City tactics make Stones not the ideal replacement for Inter veterans

Inter legend Beppe Bergomi insists John Stones hasn’t strengthened the Inter defence as the Nerazzurri find themselves without ‘man-markers’ following Stefan de Vrij and Francesco Acerbi‘s exits.

Inter have collected 13 points in the opening five Serie A rounds, but have already conceded eight goals in league games, ten across all competitions.

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CAGLIARI, ITALY – MARCH 01: Beppe Bergomi looks on during the Serie A match between Cagliari and FC Internazionale at Sardegna Arena on March 1, 2019 in Cagliari, Italy. (Photo by Enrico Locci/Getty Images)

Their game against Roma was the fourth straight time they went 2-0 down. Ultimately, they managed to get a draw thanks to a Lautaro Martinez brace in the second half.

In previous matches, they had completed comebacks against Napoli and Udinese, securing two wins, but also lost 2-1 to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

John Stones was unavailable over the weekend due to a flexor injury sustained in the previous match against Udinese. However, the former Manchester City star was a topic of discussion on last night’s Sky Sports Show.

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MILAN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 14: John Stones of FC Internazionale Milano is substituted and replaced by teammate Curtis Jones during the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and Udinese Calcio at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on September 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

“You say Inter have strengthened their squad by adding more players. Instead, they’ve actually weakened the squad in terms of centre-backs,” said ex-Inter star Bergomi.

“Stones has arrived, but he’s used to playing in a team that has 80% possession and defends as a unit. Inter push a lot of players above the ball, so the defenders have to defend one-on-one, and he isn’t used to that.”

Veterans De Vrij and Acerbi left Inter at the end of their contracts this past June and were replaced by Stones, who moved to Inter on a free transfer, and the return of Benjamin Pavard from his loan spell at Marseille.

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MILAN, ITALY – AUGUST 22: John Stones of Internazionale looks on before the Serie A match between FC Internazionale and AC Monza at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on August 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

Bergomi, however, feels Inter have not signed an adequate replacement at central defender for their three-man backline.

“I never said De Vrij and Acerbi shouldn’t have left. I said they haven’t been replaced,” he concluded.

“I’m talking about man-marking defenders. You can make do with Akanji or Bisseck in the middle of defence, but you no longer have those man-markers.”